Must Have Skills for Remote Workers

Gone are the days where experience and qualifications determine the best fit for a job.

Operating a business remotely and managing distributed teams presents a whole new set of dynamics for virtual companies – and with it – a whole new set of qualities they look for when hiring staff.

Communication is key when you work as part of a remote team, so strong interpersonal skills are a must-have for anyone aspiring to work from home. But that’s not all…

At Remote Work Hub we’ve been monitoring the requirements for remote jobs with some of the world’s leading remote companies, so we’ve put together this list of some of the top qualities they look for when hiring remote staff. Some might surprise you.

An Awesome Personality

Perhaps the most common must-have we see for remote jobs is the simple need to be a nice person. Most remote company founders are free-spirited, creative, energetic entrepreneurs, and they want to be able to connect with their virtual staff on a very real level, not assign them a number and order them around like robots. So the ability to make conversation and have fun, be flexible and approachable are all really key qualities when it comes to finding virtual work.

Independence

A lot of virtual companies operate on a one-tier level – no job titles, no managers, no bosses. This means every team member has an equal role to play in the operation, and success, of the company, and that requires a higher degree of independence than most traditional jobs. Direction is given and communication between team members is fast (if not instant) but sometimes you need to be able to take action and show initiative, and have the confidence you’re getting it right.

…But not TOO much

Working from home doesn’t mean working alone. If you’re hired by a remote-friendly company, it’s likely you’ll be one part of a much larger team, and it’s important to remember that. Virtual companies are looking for staff who know how to consult and work with other team members, without relying on them. Knowing how to encourage others to work to their own strengths for the betterment of the team is also a great skill to have.

Creativity

You don’t have to work in a creative field to show creativity in your work. When it comes to working remotely, the rule book is still unwritten. Different companies have different methods and ideas, and even these are often ever-changing within each team. As a result, it pays to be creative, flexible and adaptive in all that you do as a remote worker. Founders and managers of virtual companies are usually very open to hearing feedback and new ideas and suggestions for working smarter, not harder. If you find new ways to improve a task, teamwork, operations or sales, speak up!

Skills (But Not Just The Ones on Paper)

Sure, some remote teams need highly trained, experienced and qualified staff to perform specific roles – that’s a given. But more and more, we are seeing remote companies place a higher priority on skills that can’t necessarily be taught or formally recognised. Perhaps you’re a great problem solver, brilliant communicator, or just have a passion for thinking up new ideas. Perfect! There is a remote job out there with your name on it.